Boris Said receives penalty, suspension

Boris Said has been assessed penalties and fines after statements made during Round 2 of the Trans-Am Series at Long Beach.

LANSING, Mich. -- Boris Said, driver of the No. 33 ACS Express Racing Ford Mustang, has been assessed penalties and fines after
statements made during Round 2 of the Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup in Long Beach, Calif. April 11-13.

Race winner Boris Said

Photo by: John Thawley

Said was fined $7,500 and his Trans-Am Series competition privileges have
been suspended for 45 days, beginning May 1. Additionally, a $3,000 fine
that was suspended from an infraction earlier this season was placed in
force.

The most recent penalties came as a result of the following violations of
Trans-Am Series rules: 1.22.1.8., "Public criticism of a series,
its officials or sponsors;" 1.22.1.9., "Unsportsmanlike
conduct;" 1.22.1.11., "Inappropriate, objectionable, or
profane language or gestures;" and 1.4.13.1., "Conduct of
entrants, drivers and crew."

Said was penalized for the following, all of which happened during the
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach: multiple negative comments made in
public, including those made to a high-ranking race circuit official,
that the Series was "out to get him and ruin his career;" and
additional comments made by Said to credentialed media on at least three
occasions that continued his attack and referred to the Series as "the
Gestapo" and compared Paul Gentilozzi and his sons to Saddam Hussein and
his sons.

"These statements went well beyond the bounds of common decency and
good sportsmanship," said Trans-Am Series Chief Steward Terry Dale.
"Boris is an immensely talented racer, and our defending champion,
but he simply crossed the line while he was on probationary status.
Said's repeated inappropriate comments are becoming a
habit--one that we will not tolerate.

"Boris' most recent actions are a very serious contravention
of the Trans-Am Series rules, particularly given his previous conduct as
a Trans-Am Series competitor," added Dale. "In the past,
including earlier this year, Boris has been placed on probation and/or
fined for his actions, which included unsportsmanlike behavior, public
criticism of the Series and officials and the use of inappropriate,
objectionable and profane language. Unfortunately, the punitive action
taken against Boris to date has proven to be unsuccessful in altering his
conduct. As a result, I saw no other option but to assess the current
penalties."

Earlier this year, Said was fined $5,000, of which $3,000 was suspended,
and he was placed on probation for violating Trans-Am Series rule
1.11.1.8., "Public criticism of the Series, its officials or sponsors,"
rule 1.11.1.9., "Unsportsmanlike conduct," and 1.11.1.11.,
"Inappropriate, objectionable, or profane language or gestures."

The earlier penalties arose, in part, out of conversations between Said
and several Series officials relative to the aerodynamics of the Ford
Mustang body. The Series has undertaken wind tunnel tests, at significant
cost to the Series, to ensure parity among its major marques, which
includes the Mustang.

"These penalties have never been about aerodynamics, but about
Boris' unprofessional and inappropriate attitude, behavior and
comments about the Series and its officials," said Series Executive
Director John Clagett. "The Ford Mustang body was wind-tunnel
tested twice this season. It was determined at the first test that it was
down on front downforce. Therefore teams running the Mustang were given
the option to run add-on front dive planes at St. Petersburg and Long
Beach, in order to ensure parity. Recently, a new Mustang hood panel and
nose were tested in the wind tunnel and approved. This new setup allows
the Mustang to remain competitive with the other major marques, after the
removal of the add-on dive planes.

"The Mustang has yet to be at a competitive disadvantage, as
evidenced by Boris' runner-up finish in the season opener at St.
Petersburg after starting last, and by his victory at Long Beach,"
added Clagett. "Our goal from the beginning was to achieve parity
among the marques, and that parity has existed from the very first race
of the season."